I’m not sure at what age it is that we look in the mirror and notice the first signs of ageing but from my own experience I reckon it’s around 30 years old. It is actually a fairly significant time in your life, you kiss goodbye to the twenties and enter a new bracket. It’s actually the age at which lots of the big skincare brands advise us to get more clued up about our skin and to start to raise our skincare regime game. My next big birthday is only a few years away to give you a clue apparently that one is the age when life really begins! It’s got me thinking about that subject that is quite often taboo… AGE.

Ageing … what is it? Well it’s the process of becoming older and the changes we go through physically and emotionally; this biological ageing in years affects every cell in our body and most certainly our skin. It’s definitely nothing to be afraid of, happens to us all and there’s lots to look forward to. With age comes wisdom, experience and a better level of acceptance and security in who we are. We also develop more confidence in the way we look and adopt a light-hearted perspective. So if we embrace our number whether we’re 17 or 70 I think we are off to a good start.

Is there an anti ageing formula? I’ve read lots about this recently, articles online, Dr Murad‘s book ‘Creating a Healthy Life’, Dr Perricone MD’s Daily Blog and various other sources of anti-ageing and skincare expertise around the world. I regularly interact with all of our highly educated skincare experts such as Fiona Brackenbury, Keeley Aydin, Andrew Bagley and our very own Alison Young. The conclusion seems to be that whilst certain elements of approaches to anti-ageing are slightly different, the core principles of staying younger for longer seem to be the same.

Below are the common themes and in general the adoption of a holistic approach to skincare is what’s recommended by most.

Hydration hydration hydration

This doesn’t just apply to drinking water, it means eating lots of food with a high water content because our cells love it apparently. Keeping all our cells as hydrated as possible really affects the way the skin behaves. Dr Murad is a strong believer in eating your water for maximum intracellular water. Try blueberries, cucumber, watermelon and lots of leafy greens and steer clear of highly dehydrating substances like coffee, tea and alcohol.

NutritionNot dissimilar to the first principle but eating the food that our bodies are designed to digest – a healthy eating plan that involves high levels of raw fruit and vegetables and white fish. It is essential that we minimise the amount of sugar, simple carbohydrates, processed food, salt and dairy too. It’s not easy to stick to and there’s lots of temptation but if we can make any changes – we should. Drink lots water too.

SupplementsThere’s various on the market but I take Imedeen, I’ve seen my own evidence on scans of my skin that I have had done before/after and there have been visible results and obvious improvements. Skincare works from the outside and nutrition and supplements work from the inside. I also take a high dose high quality vitamin B & C every day.

SkincareWhat we put on our skin can make the quickest, most immediate and visible difference to the signs of ageing. Skincare is also designed to plump out the skin and keep it hydrated. QVC stock an incredible range depending on your budget and particular demands, it is recognised now by many in the industry as the home of beauty. Check our website for Murad, Perricone, Decleor, Elemis, Liz Earle and many more. Don’t forget along with hydration, cleansing is the foundation to great skincare. Remove the dirt, grease, grime and dead skin cells and you clear the barrier so the products can do their job.

LifestyleWe already know that smoking, drinking, late nights and working too much are bad for us but lots of us do it any way to let off steam or to socialise. Try to cut down on the bad stuff and spend time being good to yourself, wellbeing if you like.

ExerciseTake some, whether it’s walking, a gym session, a swim or yoga – plan to do it 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes. The benefits are further reaching than the obvious calorie burning. Exercise releases endorphins, reduces stress hormones and helps us sleep better which also aids the cell turnover of the skin. Our skin works it’s hardest when we are asleep, its busy repairing so help it do it’s job. Yoga is awesome too, I swear by it for well being, sleep and good energy.

Reduce stressAim to minimise stress in your life, it shows on your face. This is not always easy – but if you can make changes do so. Stress causes inflammation in the cells, this is bad, so avoid stress if possible.

Increase happinessDo what you love and do lots of it – if we feel happy our perspective changes. Change your thoughts and you change your world. Happiness shows on your face and in your body, if you are happy, your cells stand a better chance of being happy. So if you hear a song you love, turn it up and have a jiggle… your skin will smile.

This is obviously a very simplistic way of looking at life/ageing and skin but it’s interesting that the common themes or ideal principles to improving skin and aiding anti-ageing are also similar principles to a healthy happy life; they go hand in hand. Realistically it’s not always possible to adopt these principles but any small changes you can implement will make a difference.

If you have any hints or tips to skincare, ageing or life, I’d love to hear them so please share.

Best,

Chloe

Share this post:

6 Comments

So true Chloe!!! What a great blog this week. It is nice to get a different perspective on ageing through a more holistic approach. I also take imeeden and I to have noticed a huge difference in my skin. I also totally agree about if you hear a great song turn it up and dance your arse off!!! Who cares you sees you or hears you! Life is for living…

Hi Chloe. I just turned 40 and have noticed a dramatic change in my skin this last year. I have always looked after my skin but ill health and medication hasn’t half taken its toll. I too am taking life in a more holistic way. It is most definitely the way forward.

Hi Chloe
I’d add one other important facet of staying younger – THINK YOUNG. I’m 58 and constantly being mistaken for mid-40’s (from a distance, ha ha) and my ‘secret’ – if you can call it that – is that I don’t ‘conform’ to what society expects of older people. I still wear fashionable clothes (suited for my age – no short skirts!), stilettos, nail varnish (thanks to QVC) and make-up which I change with the seasons so as to look ‘fresh’.

I know many women younger than myself who are stuck in a rut – fashion-wise, musically and even attitude-wise – and don’t embrace all that Life has to offer in these exciting times we now live in. I think it’s embracing new stuff, technology and all the items you’ve listed, that you remain forever ‘young’. Long may it continue ….

Hi Chloe so refreshing to read your blog again, how right you are no matter what life throws in your direction- think happy stay positive and as you say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. I loved your input on Micheal’s blog this week.
Can’t get over how much I laughed this week on the Chloe/Mally shows!! HaHa so funny, and they call it work. You are a great double act!! So much fun. Keep smiling.

Twitter

Facebook

Cast your vote!

Never miss a post!

QVC uses first and third party cookies to enhance your use of this website and provide you with a personalised browsing experience. We do so in accordance with our Privacy Statement and our Cookie Policy. To learn more and change your preferences click here. By actively continuing to use this website, closing this banner or clicking the OK button below, you consent to our use of cookies.

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.